Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Alireza Olyaiee, Amir Sadeghi, Abbas Yadegar, Elnaz Sadat Mirsamadi, Hamed Mirjalali
Summary: This review discusses the role of Blastocystis sp. in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) through modulation of the gut microbiota, and comprehensively analyzes the relevant scientific findings.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Bani Ahluwalia, Cristina Iribarren, Maria K. Magnusson, Johanna Sundin, Egbert Clevers, Otto Savolainen, Alastair B. Ross, Hans Tornblom, Magnus Simren, Lena Ohman
Summary: In this study, a distinct fecal microbiota and metabolite profile associated with bowel habits was found in patients with IBS, with metabolites being the main driver of this separation. Additionally, the intestinal microenvironment profile differed between IBS patients with constipation or diarrhea, but no clustering was detected in subgroups based on symptom severity or anxiety levels. Ingenuity pathway analysis predicted altered amino acid metabolism and several cellular and molecular functions in IBS patients.
Article
Microbiology
Celine Nourrisson, Julien Scanzi, Julie Brunet, Frederic Delbac, Michel Dapoigny, Philippe Poirier
Summary: The study investigated the differences in microbiota between IBS-C patients and healthy individuals, revealing significant changes in certain microbial phyla when Blastocystis was present in IBS-C patients, notably an increase in Tenericutes phylum and Ruminococcaceae family. Colonization with Blastocystis was also associated with subtle changes in the microbial eukaryome, particularly in the Fungi taxa. The mycobiota changes varied depending on the patient group, with potentially more deleterious effects in the IBS-C group.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Fernando Salvador, Beatriz Lobo, Lidia Goterris, Carmen Alonso-Cotoner, Javier Santos, Elena Sulleiro, Begona Bailo, David Carmena, Adrian Sanchez-Montalva, Pau Bosch-Nicolau, Juan Espinosa-Pereiro, Isabel Fuentes, Israel Molina
Summary: This study compared the detection of Blastocystis sp. in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and healthy volunteers, finding no significant differences in the occurrence of the parasite between the two groups.
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yuying Luo, Daniela Jodorkovsky, Priyanka Singh, Laurie A. A. Keefer
Summary: This article is linked to the papers by Goodoory et al. To access these papers, please visit...
ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
S. Holster, D. Repsilber, D. Geng, T. Hyotylainen, A. Salonen, C. M. Lindqvist, S. K. Rajan, W. M. de Vos, R. J. Brummer, J. Konig
Summary: The study found that allogenic FMT led to changes in microbial composition in IBS patients for up to six months, affecting functional profiles but not fecal metabolites. In contrast, autologous FMT had no effect on these factors. Correlations between microbial composition and metabolites also suggested disruptions in microbe-metabolite interactions after allogenic FMT compared to autologous FMT.
BENEFICIAL MICROBES
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Bridgette Wilson, Tokuwa Kanno, Rachael Slater, Megan Rossi, Peter M. Irving, Miranda C. Lomer, Chris Probert, A. James Mason, Kevin Whelan
Summary: Baseline faecal and urine metabolites can predict response to the low FODMAP diet in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Vivek C. Goodoory, Cho E. Ng, Christopher J. Black, Alexander C. Ford
Summary: This article is associated with Goodoory et al papers. Click the link to access these articles.
ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jie Wu, Liang Lv, Chunlian Wang
Summary: The meta-analysis examined the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and found inconsistent results. FMT administered via colonoscopy or gastroscope may benefit IBS patients and improve their quality of life. However, the quality of evidence supporting the use of FMT in IBS is very low.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Lin Xiao, Qin Liu, Mei Luo, Lishou Xiong
Summary: Research has identified the significant roles that microbiota-derived metabolites play in the development of IBS symptoms in patients, shedding light on the complex interplay between gut microbiota and IBS.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Chiara Ricci, Fernando Rizzello, Maria Chiara Valerii, Enzo Spisni, Paolo Gionchetti, Silvia Turroni, Marco Candela, Federica D'Amico, Renato Spigarelli, Irene Bellocchio, Giovanni Marasco, Giovanni Barbara
Summary: Geraniol, an acyclic monoterpene alcohol, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and positive effects on gut microbiota in IBS patients. In this study, IBS patients treated with a low-absorbable geraniol food supplement (LAGS) showed a significant reduction in IBS symptoms severity score compared to placebo. Geraniol administration also resulted in changes in gut microbiota composition, with a decrease in Oscillospira and an increase in Faecalibacterium. The findings suggest that LAGS is effective in treating overall IBS symptoms and improving gut microbiota profile, particularly in the IBS mixed subtype.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Vivek C. Goodoory, Cho E. Ng, Christopher J. Black, Alexander C. Ford
Summary: This study compared the characteristics of individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) reporting faecal incontinence (FI) with those who do not report FI. The results showed that individuals with FI were older, more likely to have IBS-D, had lower education levels and incomes, reported more urgency and more severe IBS and psychological symptoms, had lower quality of life scores, and higher healthcare costs.
ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qian Chen, Hua Zhang, Chang-Yue Sun, Qing-Ying He, Rui-Rong Zhang, Bin-Fei Luo, Zi-Hao Zhou, Xiao-Fan Chen
Summary: An animal model that mimics the pathological state of diarrhea symptoms, visceral hypersensitivity, reduced intestinal mucosal barrier permeability, immune regulatory dysfunction, and dysbiosis in IBS-D patients was constructed through restraint stress and chemical stimulation. However, herbs with antibacterial effects such as rhubarb and senna are not suitable for chemical stimulation, as they may alter the intestinal flora imbalance, and restraint stress may be a key factor in modeling.
MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Binbin Tang, Yunlian Hu, Jianhui Chen, Chengxia Su, Qian Zhang, Chaoqun Huang
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics and correlation between oral (tongue coating) and fecal microbiota in patients with diarrheal irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). The microbial richness of tongue coating in IBS-D patients was lower than that in the normal control group. The oral and fecal microbiotas of IBS-D patients differ from those of the control group.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
S. Coughlan, A. Das, E. O'Herlihy, F. Shanahan, P. W. O'Toole, I. B. Jeffery
Summary: The study conducted metagenomic sequencing of fecal Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) from 55 patients with IBS and 51 control individuals. It found significantly lower alpha diversity of viral clusters in IBS, identified core viromes in both IBS and control groups, and noted no significant covariation between the virome and the bacteriome, IBS clinical subtype, or Bile Acid Malabsorption status.
Review
Parasitology
Ricardo Guillermo Maggi, Vicky Halls, Friederike Kramer, Michael Lappin, Maria Grazia Pennisi, Andrew S. Peregrine, Xavier Roura, Bettina Schunack, Valeria Scorza, Severine Tasker, Gad Baneth, Patrick Bourdeau, Dwight D. Bowman, Edward B. Breitschwerdt, Gioia Capelli, Luis Cardoso, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Gerhard Dobler, Lluis Ferrer, Luigi Gradoni, Peter Irwin, Frans Jongejan, Volkhard A. J. Kempf, Barbara Kohn, Susan Little, Maxime Madder, Carla Maia, Mary Marcondes, Guadalupe Miro, Torsten Naucke, Gaetano Oliva, Domenico Otranto, Barend L. Penzhorn, Martin Pfeffer, Angel Sainz, SungShik Shin, Laia Solano-Gallego, Reinhard K. Straubinger, Rebecca Traub, Ian Wright
Summary: Large populations of unowned cats pose various issues worldwide, including animal welfare, ecology, society, and public health. Relocating and homing these cats is seen as a means to alleviate suffering and social problems, while also contributing to ethical population control. Understanding individual cats' lifestyle and disease status is crucial for veterinary professionals and those working with cat charities to minimize cat stress and the spread of pathogens, especially vector-borne ones.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Review
Parasitology
Filipe Dantas-Torres, Jennifer Ketzis, Gabriela Perez Tort, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Gad Baneth, Domenico Otranto, Malaika Watanabe, Bui Khanh Linh, Tawin Inpankaew, Pablo Borras, Sangaran Arumugam, Barend Louis Penzhorn, Adrian Patalinghug Ybanez, Peter Irwin, Rebecca J. Traub
Summary: The canine heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, is widely spread in tropical areas, where the prevalence can exceed 30% in high-risk regions. The lack of compliance with year-round preventives and the unavailability of melarsomine in several tropical countries pose a major concern. The authors of this article discuss the current distribution of heartworm in the tropics, the availability of melarsomine, and alternative management options for heartworm infections in dogs.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Maxine L. A. Macpherson, Patsy A. Zendejas-Heredia, Wayne Sylvester, Robin B. Gasser, Rebecca J. Traub, Vito Colella, Calum N. L. Macpherson
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors for soil-transmitted helminths in community dogs in Grenada. The results showed that approximately 46.5% of the samples contained hookworms, approximately 9% contained Toxocara spp., and approximately 5.2% contained Trichuris vulpis. Multiplex qPCR testing revealed that approximately 42.2% of the samples were positive for at least one zoonotic parasite. Low body score and free-roaming behavior were significant predictors of parasite infection in dogs.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lucas G. Huggins, Zahida Baydoun, Ron Mab, Yulia Khouri, Bettina Schunack, Rebecca J. Traub, Vito Colella
Summary: Dog-infecting haemotropic mycoplasmas can be transmitted without arthropod vectors, but through aggressive interactions and vertical transmission. In a community trial in Cambodia, two ectoparasiticide products effectively prevented vector-borne pathogen infections in dogs, but there was a significant increase in haemoplasma infections, providing strong evidence of non-vectorial transmission. The study highlights the need for new methods to prevent the transmission of canine haemoplasmas.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucas G. Huggins, Vito Colella, Neil D. Young, Rebecca J. Traub
Summary: Apicomplexan haemoparasites cause significant morbidity and mortality, and traditional diagnostic methods have limitations. The nanopore sequencing method can accurately detect multiple pathogens, improving taxonomic resolution.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Angus Hughes, Dinh Ng-Nguyen, Naomi E. E. Clarke, Clare E. F. Dyer, Sze Fui Hii, Archie C. A. Clements, Roy M. M. Anderson, Darren J. J. Gray, Luc E. E. Coffeng, John M. M. Kaldor, Rebecca J. J. Traub, Susana Vaz Nery
Summary: A survey in Dak Lak province, Vietnam showed that soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection is influenced by demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral factors, including water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions. Among primary-school-age children, the prevalence of STH infections, particularly Necator americanus, varied greatly across schools. Ethnic minority children had a higher risk of infection, as did those practicing open defecation and with poor household water supply. On the other hand, having a flushing toilet and a female caregiver with secondary or tertiary education were associated with a lower risk of infection.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Patsy A. Zendejas-Heredia, Vito Colella, Lucas G. Huggins, Roland Schaper, Bettina Schunack, Rebecca J. Traub
Summary: This study investigates the prevalence, diversity, distribution, and risk predictors of zoonotic intestinal helminths in dogs in rural and urban areas of Cambodia. The results show that dogs in both rural and urban settings in Cambodia are highly infected with a variety of zoonotic gastroenteric helminths. The study highlights the importance of integrated approaches to canine population management and parasite control in order to mitigate the public health risks posed by these helminths.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Doris R. Pierce, Malcolm McDonald, Lea Merone, Luke Becker, Fintan Thompson, Chris Lewis, Rachael Y. M. Ryan, Sze Fui Hii, Patsy A. Zendejas-Heredia, Rebecca J. Traub, Matthew A. Field, Tony Rahman, John Croese, Alex Loukas, Robyn McDermott, Paul R. Giacomin
Summary: This study demonstrates that treatment with hookworms is safe and can improve metabolic health in people at risk of type 2 diabetes. The findings suggest a potential protective role for parasitic worms against metabolic disorders, although further research is needed.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Brandon Le, Merita Antonia Armindo Monteiro, Salvador Amaral, Handan Wand, Alexander Matthews, Sze Fui Hii, Naomi E. Clarke, Paul Arkell, Jennifer Yan, Daniel Engelman, Nicholas Fancourt, Jose Liu Fernandes, Andrew Steer, John Kaldor, Rebecca Traub, Joshua R. Francis, Susana Vaz Nery
Summary: This study investigated the impact of a national mass drug administration (MDA) program on multiple neglected tropical diseases in Timor-Leste. The results showed that the MDA program significantly reduced the prevalence of scabies, impetigo, and soil-transmitted helminth infections, demonstrating the effectiveness of combination MDA in controlling multiple diseases. This has important implications for integrated control programs.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
John Paul Caesar delos Trinos, Dinh Ng-Nguyen, Luc E. Coffeng, Clare E. F. Dyer, Naomi Clarke, Rebecca Traub, Kate Halton, Virginia Wiseman, Caroline Watts, Susana Vaz Nery
Summary: This study compared the cost and cost-effectiveness of mass drug administration (MDA) and school-based targeted preventive chemotherapy (PC) for soil-transmitted helminths (STH) control in Dak Lak, Vietnam. It found that MDA was more cost-effective than school-based targeted PC, resulting in greater DALYs averted over a ten-year period at a lower cost.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
S. A. Chapman, J. M. Angles, C. Raw, P. A. Zendejas-Heredia, R. J. Traub
Summary: The article describes a case of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in a 24-month-old dog. The infection was not detected in fecal examination, but was confirmed through histology and molecular testing. The article highlights the failure of routine diagnostic methods, which can lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment, and suggests off-label use of ivermectin as an alternative treatment for Strongyloides spp. infection in dogs.
AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ushani Atapattu, Vito Colella, Andrew Worsley, Lucas G. Huggins, Anke Wiethoelter, Rebecca J. Traub
Summary: This study investigates the epidemiology of vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) in pet dogs in Sri Lanka, finding that Babesia gibsoni is the most prevalent VBP and tick infestation and age are primary predictors of infection. Additionally, local breed, male dogs, and flea infestation are significantly associated with haemotropic mycoplasma infections. Measures such as educating pet dog owners, preventing contact with stray dogs, and using effective ectoparasiticides are crucial for controlling VBPs in pet dogs.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Clare E. F. Dyer, Dinh Ng-Nguyen, Naomi E. Clarke, Sze Fui Hii, Hieu Quoc Nguyen, Van-Anh Thi Nguyen, Thai Van Nguyen, Trong Van Nguyen, Tam Thi Ngo, H. M. P. Dilrukshi Herath, Handan Wand, Luc E. Coffeng, Justine C. Marshall, Darren J. Gray, Roy M. Anderson, Archie C. A. Clements, John M. Kaldor, Rebecca J. Trau, Susana Vaz Nery
Summary: This study aimed to compare the impact of community-wide mass drug administration (MDA) and school-based targeted preventive chemotherapy (PC) on soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection in school-aged children. The results showed that MDA was more effective in reducing the infection intensity of N. americanus in children compared to PC. However, due to lower baseline prevalence, the study was underpowered to detect a statistical difference in the reduction of infection prevalence between the two intervention arms.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wanarit Jitsamai, Patchana Kamkong, Rebecca J. Traub, Piyanan Taweethavonsawat
Summary: This study characterized feline hookworms from stray cats in Bangkok by analyzing their species and genetic characteristics. The majority of the samples were identified as Ancylostoma ceylanicum, with a small percentage identified as Ancylostoma caninum. Deep amplicon sequencing revealed high genetic variation in the A. ceylanicum community and identified several haplotypes with potential zoonotic significance.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ushani Atapattu, Anson V. Koehler, Lucas G. Huggins, Anke Wiethoelter, Rebecca J. Traub, Vito Colella
Summary: Sri Lanka has successfully eliminated lymphatic filariasis as a public health concern, but recent infections with subperiodic filarial species suggestive of zoonotic infections have been found in dogs across the country. Limited information on the prevalence, diversity, and predictors of filarial infections in dogs has resulted in suboptimal control and prevention of these parasites.